David Gallardo on for Shane Howe
Aiden Victor on for Adrian Lopez
Kaylan Rumbo on for Aaron Collado

United’s first match since the Easter Saturday debacle against Gib Phoenix and we couldn’t have had a tougher nut to crack against league pursuers Angels FC. Both Mark Casciaro and Justin Collado were missing from the squad due to suspensions and that meant that Ian had to reshuffle the pack. Evan Coleing dropped to the bench and in came Adrian Lopez at right back and Shane Howe to partner Lee Muscat up front. Andrew Lopez shifted slightly to the left while ‘Paco’ Thomas played in a slightly more advanced role than normal on the right wing of midfield. United was looking to bounce back after a frankly disappointing and uncharacteristic performance last time out. The prize, a berth in the final of the 2nd Division League Cup Final where Europa Point FC awaited the winner of this much awaited tie.

United’s Semi Final XI

The game started briskly amid a very strong easterly wind that was a determining factor favouring the team kicking North to South. United had the first chance of the game and what a chance it was! Andrew Lopez floated in a measured cross that was headed on to the centre of the area. Jared Buhagiar, a mere few yards out stuck out a foot and blazed the ball over the bar. A great start for United but that was pretty much it for the first half. Both teams were somewhat wary in the prevailing conditions and played cagely from the back. Aziz and Dylan were locked in a titantic battle in midfield with the Angels pair and referee Patrick Canepa, who had an excellent game, had to clam nerves on several occasions.

Andrew floats in a cross.

Possession was more or less equally shared as the game degenerated into a quagmire in midfield. Neither team was able to gain a significant advantage despite good wing play from United. Both teams also played well in defence with Adrian Lopez and Lee Buhagiar rocks for United, while the Angels centre halves marshalled both Muscat and Howe. As Canepa blew the half time whistle the crowd was hoping the temperature on the pitch would rise in the second half.

Despite a slow start, there were more chances in the second half in particular for United. With Dylan ascendant, his best game for a while, Thomas and Lopez on the wings, supported by Aziz down the middle began to find space where there was none in the first half. First Andrew and then Lee Muscat had chances to score. Andrew drove a forced shot wide after using his pace to leave Angels player Chozas in his wake and Muski was croweded out by a frantically retreating Angels defence. Yet the best chance fell to Aziz Aitlachen that curled a peach of a shot just shy of the top left had corner of the goal after having beaten keeper Mateo Perez. Angels themselves carried little danger forward in the initial 90 minutes and it was not until the second half of extra time that they enjoyed their first real chance.

Ian marshals his troops at the end of 90 minutes.

Extra time saw a better flow to the match with both teams having chances. United used substitute Gallardo’s height and pace to good effect. Aden Victor, another sub, spurned a good chance but it was Andrew that proved to be the most profligate. Put through but Lee Muscat, he snapped at a shot that he drew horribly wide. Perhaps fatigue was setting in and tired minds did not realise he had time and space to compose himself and pick his spot. Angels’ only real chance in the game came in the second half of extra time. A shot, thrown around by the wind, wrong footed Chino who was more than relieved to see the ball bounce around the post and out to touch. In the dying embers of the game Angels had a goal ruled out by offside but Canepa had already annulled the play as he had blown for a foul. The resulting free kick was the last action of the game before the penalty shoot out. United were to lose the shoot out 5-4

David Gallardo on for Evan Coleing
Adrian Lopez on for Shane Howe
Evan Sayers on for Aziz Aitlachen

Quarter final match on a Friday evening under the lights at the Stadium. United were forced into a number of changes due to injury, absences and suspension. Dylan Mañasco and Lee Muscat were both suspended due to bookings in our last league match. Aden Victor came in at left back and Shane Howe led the line up front. Evan Coeling made his first start and Aziz also made his full debut for the club. Kaylan Rumbo replaced the injured Mark Casciaro in center midfield while Matthew Massetti got his chance partnering Aaron at center half. Hard work in the Reserves is paying off as a number of players were called up to the match squad as the coaching staff rotated the squad.

United’s XI for the game

A very open start to the match saw both teams show a willingness to get forwards quickly and often. Both Justin and Evan on the wings were excellent outlets for the balls from the middle of pitch where Aziz conducted our offensive play in a masterful manner. The first real sign of danger came from Mons when a Cortes shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Collado with Chino clearly beaten. Not long after that the United crossbar was left rattling from a Mons header courtesy of a very well delivered and executed corner routine.

Yet, as it has often been the case this season Untied perform best in adversity. Half way through the first half a clever Aitlachen ball saw Andrew Lopez breakthrough the resolute Mons defence. A burst of speed left him with only keeper Carling to beat and this he did with a neat finish. Mons protested very loudly claiming a clear offside position. Unfortunately for them the match officials did not agree and the goal stood. Mons immediately took the gauntlet and defender Escavia came close just before the ref blew for half time. Though United were 1 up Mons looked the better team in the first 45.

Justin Collado ensured this would not be the case in the second. Straight after the kick off he delivered a peach of cross which was gratefully met by Andrew’s head as he nestled the ball into the net. A cross of tremendous quality that show cases Justin’s other side to his game, its not just all about speed and power. Indeed he was one of our best players in the second half. Mons heads dropped as the body blow, so soon after the restart was almost impossible to surmount. Shane Howe spurned an easy chance when one on one with the keeper and both Aziz and Evan Coleing having the freedom of the Victoria Stadium.

It was, however Kaylan Rumbo that really lit up the stadium. Some great ball control and clever play from him saw him create the necessary space to be able to line up a shot at goal. A lobbing, yet placed shot, flew over Jamie Carling’s head and bulged the back at the net. The crowd was off its feet and even opposing supporters sportingly clapped Kaylan’s stunning shot. With the match seemingly won Aldorino moved his bench with both Shane and Coleing coming off for David Gallardo and Adrian Lopez. The former instantly had a chance but missed the one on one with keeper.

Andrew, hat trick hero on the night had no such issues as he finished off Carl Thomas’s excellent dribble and cross to put the score at 4-0. United into the semis but not before Cortes bagged a consolation for Mons. With Evan Sayers completing the substitutions as he came on for Aziz United can look back on a job well done and a morale boosting result before our next match against an inform Gib Scorpions in the league next Thursday. The semi final itself will be against another of our direct rivals in the league, Angels FC